First, the name: To the woman who for some reason has OUR team name, you may complete the Tough Mudder, but not with the same panache, sheer determination and incredible teammate that I have in Beth. I couldn't and wouldn't do this without you. I know that you'll have my back, as I'll have yours. It's not about reaching a goal of xxx hours and minutes or completing all 25 (gak) obstacles no matter what. It's about pushing ourselves to be our best, doing this as a team and not thinking for one second that one of us would leave the other behind. I can't wait for February. We will be ready. We can do this. We will do this. As a side note, she can have all the creeps on the TM site message her (thinking she's a dirty girl as opposed to a muddy girl). We're blonde, and we're beautiful. Go Dirty Blondes!
Next, the workouts: My body hurts almost every day. I've been trying to incorporate more intense cardio by climbing up and down the same hill at a decent speed to build muscle. I know that this race is considered a "run", but there is no way to run 10-12 mile and complete the obstacles. Some walking, whatever it takes, will be fine. Women aren't built for this sort of thing. Sexist? No. Realistic? Yes. I will try my hardest, however, to last the entire course. Right now it is daunting, but by race day I hope to be ready. My new bicycle will be here within 10 days - I can't wait. If nothing else, runners have great legs and I don't. I will, though. I'm trying to do my upper body work every two days, but it's turned into every three days. As long as it hurts for two days following the workout, I know that muscle is replacing fat. It's all good. I am looking for my abs, but they seem to have left the building. I'm thinking of putting up wanted posters, but I'm too embarrassed.
The eating: I love food. I'm trying to reduce my "bad" carbs and dairy as much as possible, but it's not easy. I'm pretty much eating the same diet as before, but need to add some calories so as not to have my body take them from my muscle. I had half of a biscuit yesterday, gluten and all. It was delicious. After the race, we are eating and drinking whatever we want until we recover. That may take years.
Last but not least, the mindset: I am in awe of the people in the TM videos, as they don't seem to be next to tears. I am so glad that we are doing this for ourselves and each other, no matter what anyone else thinks. We are both strong women, and determined. Did I mention determined? I think about it often, which helps me to keep on track. It's important to have goals, and to remember that life is a journey. I don't ever want to reach my destination. No regrets. None.
We can do this.
xo
Mimi
Sooooo when does this runner's high kick in. That's what I want to know.
ReplyDeleteI agree getting zen with that constant daily ache in places we didn't even know we had muscles might be the biggest challenge here. But it's a sign that we're transforming our bodies into something we weren't sure we could be. Now we know.
We can do this.
I loved your post. And I have also heard the "women aren't built for this sort of thing" comments.
ReplyDeleteWhy not? Who says? I think we are built for this sort of thing if we build our bodies for this sort of thing.
I'd argue -- these two women, Mimi and Beth, aren't built for this thing . . . YET. But we have time we haven't even used yet. Ask us again in 4.5 months.
Do I expect to walk a portion of this. Absolutely. I find myself questioning the sanity of anyone who chooses to take on the "Hold Your Wood" challenge at a nice healthy jogging pace.
Will we run when running matters -- oh Hell yes.
The runners high kicks in for me at mile 3 on a short run. On a long run, I'm flying at mile 10. After that, I want to die.
ReplyDeleteWhat I meant by 'women aren't built for this sort of thing' is that (most) men are inherently strong, while women work out for cardio benefits while not wanting to bulk up. I want nothing more than to have arms and shoulders like Linda Hamilton when she was in The Terminator. We can do this. We are defying nature and our gender mandate. I have no doubt that we will do this and turn every f*cking head at The Edison after our run. We will have earned it.
We will walk, we will jog, we will plunge into icy water and hell yes, we will run through fire and electrified wire.
Game on.